Firewall-mounted Oil Cooler Pics

[tx_jayhawk]

I know a number of people have gone this route, but I have not been able to find very many pictures on the net. I was hoping that those who have gone the routte of firewall-mounting their oil cooler might have some pictures or a link to post. The optimal SCAT routing from the back of the baffles is not entirely logical, and I am curious what placement others have used.

Thanks in advance.

Scott
7A Finishing

[newtech]

Hi Scott,
I am pleased with the way my oil cooler installation came out. It includes an airflow adjusting door so on cold days I will be able to easily control the airflow through the cooler from the cockpit. Major downside of the way I did it is you will always have a little amount of oil left in the cooler when draining oil for an oil change. It will have a tee fitting on the lower inlet so I can drain oil from that point as well as the oil sump on the engine.










Steve Eberhart. RV-7A Slider, O-360-A1A, Catto 3 blade, finishing up canopy installation

[LifeofReiley]

Steve,

Now that's a sweet set-up you've got going there! Thanks for sharing.

[Radomir]

My installation is nearly identical to Steve's... maybe the "angle" is slightly different.... Inboard bolts pick up that diagonal angle on the firewall for additional stiffening. That pretty much set the angle of the cooler.

Like Steve, I ensured that the exit area is pointed towards the exhaust opening in the cowl.

[flyeyes]

Originally Posted by tx_jayhawk

(snip)not been able to find very many pictures on the net. (snip)
curious what placement others have used.

Thanks in advance.

Scott
7A Finishing

Here are a couple of my -8. This setup works beautifully with an angle-valve IO360.

[rjcthree]

I love the idea, and will probably go this way, I just don't see the technical reasons. Oil cooler not vibed? Simplicitiy/lightness of baffle? Something cool to talk about?

Rick 90432

[flyeyes]

Originally Posted by rjcthree

I love the idea, and will probably go this way, I just don't see the technical reasons. Oil cooler not vibed? Simplicitiy/lightness of baffle? Something cool to talk about?

Rick 90432

All of the above, really.

The biggest reason I did it was to avoid the chronic baffle repairs that many of my friends have had (cf. Dan Checkoway).

The second reason was that the angle-valve engine puts more of its heat into the oil than most parallel valves, and I wanted a "no fooling, works the first time" setup. I live in Memphis, TN and it gets hot in the summer. Ihave owned airplanes where oil temp was a significant limiting factor operationally in the summer.

I basically copied the setup from another RV-8 with a "hopped-up" IO-360 who went through several iterations of coolers to get a reliable system. Many people have gone through two or more coolers, upsized the SCAT tube, or made other changes to get adequate cooling, so I tried to learn what I could.

This is one of the things that has worked perfectly from day one, and I wouldn't change a thing about it if I were building again.

[RV6_flyer]

My original firewall mounted oil cooler was on the RHS of the firewall with 3" SCAT tubing running to it. After THREE (3) vapor lock events and continuous oil temp at or above red line, I move the oil cooler to the same place that has worked well for others behind the #4 cylinder but mounted it to the engine mount.

My experience with the oil cooler mounted to the firewall with 3" SCAT tubing was that it did not work in my installation. Oil temp was red line in September 1997 when I was test flying. I was able to lower oil temp about 5 degrees F by removing the screen that I had over the inlet in the baffle. (same screen that is used in a screen door). I could not do touch and goes without red line oil temp with this setup. There were limitations in climb. Climb speed below 100 knots would hit red line oil time. On trips in hot climate, I need to watch how I operated the airplane to keep oil temp below red line. I could not run full throttle and prop full forward without hitting red line.

After a hot start on a hot day, I would hit red line oil temp on the ground before takeoff. 3 out of 5 times I tried to run up or take off, I would get vapor lock and start missing. I aborted one takeoff at Chino after lunch because of the vapor lock missing when reaching full power.

Summary:
Van's "EA OIL COOLER II" mounted on the firewall with Van's mounting kit did not work well on my O-320 Constant Speed powered RV-6 during the summer in Southern California. I was operating in the California, Nevada, and Arizona deserts. IMHO, the setup I describe is lacking adequate oil temperature control in HIGH TEMPERATURE CLIMATES. I know of flyer's in Oregon that have had good performance with the same installation.

[tx_jayhawk]

Interesting feedback Gary...thanks. I've talked to folks that have FW oil coolers that have trouble getting the oil hot enough (in the winter), and no redline problems at all. I susepct it is important to note that model of cooler (I believe SW is most efficient), cooling method (plenum vs baffles), etc.

Thanks,
Scott

[szicree]

Is hot oil a likely cause of fuel vaporlock? I'm not casting doubt, I just never considered the two things related. Isn't it more likely that the hot air coming off the cooler was getting blasted right into the gascolator or some other fuel system component?